Tina Yagla: Candidate Profile

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Note: Answers provided have not been edited for grammar, misspellings or typos. In some instances, candidate claims that could not be immediately verified have been omitted. Jump to:BioQA Bio City: GenevaWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Geneva Unit District 304 School Board Age: 43Family: Husband (of 13 years) and I have lived in Geneva for 11 years.Occupation: Owner | Yagla Engineering Services, Inc.Education: B.S. Mechanical Engineering Milwaukee School of Engineering 1996Civic involvement: volunteer with Special OlympicsElected offices held: Elected Republican Precinct Committeemen - Geneva Township Republicans Precinct 21Questions Answers How satisfied are you that your school district is adequately preparing students for the next stage in their lives, whether it be from elementary into high school or high school into college or full-time employment? What changes, if any, do you think need to be made?I believe that the students are generally prepared well for the next stages of their lives in the Geneva School system. I do think that there should be an emphasis on vocational training and preparing young people for solid careers that do not necessarily require college degrees (for example, qualified welders are in short supply). I do think that there are places - as we are able to dig into the budget - where we can cut spending or move those dollars to the class rooms. Our students deserve no less. It's time for a taxpayer advocate on the Board. I am that candidate!What budgetary issues will your district have to confront during the next four years and what measures do you support to address them? If you believe cuts are necessary, be specific about programs and expenses that should be considered for reduction or elimination. On the income side, do you support any tax increases for local schools? Again, be specific.Debt repayment, reduced enrollment vs. increasing costs and teacher compensation are the top three expense categories that need to be addressed on an ongoing basis. The number one thing that must be considered is that any cuts made should not affect the education of our students. Cost reductions are easier said than done, but every expense in the non-educational category must be scrutinized and cuts made where possible. Transparency to the cost in dollars and faculty for all non-educational programs should be provided to the board and the taxpayers so we can collectively decide where our tax dollars are best spent. Today, we are facing a very large debt in the school budget due to previous construction projects that were approved by referendum for population predictions that never materialized. Due to the sluggish economy and our reducing enrollment, tax increases should be the last consideration. It's time for a taxpayer advocate on the Board. I am that candidate!Are you currently employed by or retired from a school district, if so, which one? Is any member of your direct family - spouse, child or child-in-law - employed by the school district where you are seeking a school board seat?No. I am not running to represent anyone in the school system. I am running to represent the taxpayers of Geneva 304.As contract talks come up with various school employee groups -- teachers, support staff, etc. -- what posture should the school board take? Do you believe the district should ask for concessions from its employees, expect employee costs to stay about the same as they are now or provide increases in pay or benefits?In the past, contract negotiations were the 800 pound gorilla in the room and never addressed. Contract negotiations need to be open to the open. There is no state regulation that talks need to be behind closed doors. The taxpayers pay the salaries and benefits of every school district employee and should have a voice in the process. The teachers have the right to approve the contract, taxpayers should have the same opportunity. The opportunity exists to improve the contract process with all groups of employees. The key to improvement lies in complete and total transparency on all sides. It's time for a taxpayer advocate on the Board. I am that candidate!If your district had a superintendent or other administrator nearing retirement, would you support a substantial increase in his or her pay to help boost pension benefits? Why or why not?I oppose pension bumping. I believe raises should be based on contractual obligations (which need to be reviewed and administered by a taxpayer-advocate dedicated board) and merit only. The practice of pension bumping is one ingredient in the looming state-wide pension crisis. If the State Legislature were to follow through on their discussion/proposals to move the pension burden back to the respective school districts, the Taxpayers in Geneva School District 304 will face ever-increasing costs that are not directly related to educating the students. It's time for a taxpayer advocate on the Board. I am that candidate!What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Debt Repayment Budget Reduction It's time for a taxpayer advocate on the Board. I am that candidate!Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Candidate did not respond.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Candidate did not respond.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Candidate did not respond.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Candidate did not respond.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Candidate did not respond.